Monika O’Clair/Citizen photo
Olivia Murphy, 5, of Berwick, Maine, shows off her corsage during a Valentine’s Dance at Noble Middle School in Berwick Saturday.

BERWICK, Maine — The Valentine’s Day tradition at Noble Middle School continued Saturday, as girls got to spend the evening with their fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or brothers at the annual dance and social event.

Kim Taylor, director of the town’s Recreation Department, said the Valentine’s Day event offers an atmosphere where “girls get to be girls,” by getting dressed up, interacting with their friends, and dancing.

Throughout the event, girls in kindergarten through sixth grade were on the dance floor, dressed in sparkly dresses, dancing and singing along to music.

Eleven-year-old Indigo Simmins, a sixth grader at Noble Middle School, said she came to the dance because she enjoys spending time with her father, David Simmins, while dancing and making crafts. The two have been coming to the event for the past seven years.

In preparation for the dance, town resident William Skelton was busy taking his two daughters to get their hair done at Evolutions hair salon in Somersworth.

His daughters, Hayley, 6, and Siri, 4 were busy mingling with their friends throughout the Valentine’s Day event. Early in the evening, Skelton said he was getting ready to go dance with his daughters.

Click image to enlarge

Don Murphy, of Berwick, Maine gives a corsage to his daughter Olivia, 5, during a Valentine’s Dance at Noble Middle School in Berwick Saturday.
Monika O’Clair/ Citizen photo

“It’s the first time they’ve seen their dad with a shirt and tie,” he said.

Rob Gnirk, of Berwick, also came to the dance with his two daughters, Taylor, 6, and Alli, 8, who attend Vivian Hussey Primary School. After the three of them had their picture taken near the front door of Noble Middle School, they spent time making crafts, including head bands and picture frames.

“I like crafts,” said Alli near the station for making picture frames with a Valentine’s Day theme.

For Gnirk and his daughters, Saturday was their third year in a row attending the event.

“You can’t miss this,” said Gnirk. “It’s fun for the girls, it’s good to spend some time with them.”

Event participants were also served dinner, and pink cupcakes were also available for dessert.

Taylor said that the proceeds from the served food went to benefit Up With People, a traveling musical organization.

Click image to enlarge

Monika O’Clair/Citizen photo
Kayden Chandler, 9, left, and Kylee Chandler, 6, of Berwick pose for photos with their dad Jeremy Chandler during a Valentine’s Dance at Noble Middle School in Berwick Saturday.